Picking the right skylight type starts with the room and ends with the climate. Tubular sun tunnels at $500-$1,000 installed are the cheapest option and the right choice for small interior spaces — hallways, closets, walk-in pantries, small bathrooms — where you want natural light without sky view or ventilation. Fixed skylights at $1,500-$4,000 deliver the most light for the dollar in stairwells, vaulted living rooms, and great rooms, but they don’t open and contribute no airflow. Vented manual skylights at $1,600-$4,700 add the operable window function essential in kitchens and bathrooms where humidity control matters.
Solar-vented Velux Fresh Air units at $2,800-$5,700 are the value pick for any room without dedicated AC — the solar motor opens the unit on hot days, vents trapped attic air, and integrates with a rain sensor that auto-closes during storms. The 30% federal tax credit on product plus labor brings effective net cost down to roughly $1,960-$3,990, often making solar the cheapest operable option once the credit is applied. Impact-rated hurricane skylights at $2,200-$6,500 are required, not optional, in coastal Florida, NC, SC, and Texas building codes.
Beyond type, brand and warranty matter. Velux dominates US residential with the only no-leak warranty in the industry (10 years on installation if a Velux installer does the work) and a 20-year warranty on the glazing. Columbia, Skywalker, and Sun-Tek round out the category at 10-25% lower price points but with shorter warranties (typically 5-10 years on glazing). For a project worth $2,000-$5,000+ in installed cost, the Velux warranty premium is almost always worth it.
Scope vs labor hours vs typical all-in cost, 2026. Source: Angi, HomeGuide, BillRaganRoofing.| Scope | Labor Hours | Typical Total |
|---|
| Like-for-like replacement (existing opening) | 4-8 | $1,200-$2,500 |
| New opening, asphalt roof | 12-20 | $2,500-$4,500 |
| New opening, tile/slate roof | 16-24 | $3,500-$6,500 |
| New opening with structural work | 20-40 | $4,500-$8,000+ |
